Alice POV

It’s been a few days since Keegan got “drunk” and confessed to me.

True to our promise we both tried to act as if it hadn’t happen.

I think the hardest to act normal was when we first saw each other after that awkward evening. It happened to be the very next day. Keegan entered Homeroom, late as usual, and went straight to his seat, without even bothering to acknowledge Mrs. Allen’s presence. He nodded at Caden and Asher, who were already there, but as he passed by me, he hesitated. I could almost see his mind working, contemplating on whether he should greet me or not. Realizing that the normal thing to do was to give some sort of recognition, the brunet gave me a small smile before sitting behind me. The action looked forced and insincere and I could tell that fact didn’t go unnoticed by the two other boys.

As the day went on, I tried to stick to our agreement of staying friends and initiated small talk on several occasions. Even though both Keegan and I did our best to keep the conversation going, we somehow always ended up in uncomfortable silence.

But day by day and little by little, things started going back to normal. Or at least some semblance of normal because even though we talked, smiled and joked with each other, I could still feel bits of tension between us.

Caden and Ash didn’t seem to notice or perhaps they just thought it wasn’t any of their business and that whatever the problem was, we probably wanted to deal with it ourselves. We hadn’t told either of them of course. That way, it would be easier to ignore the whole ordeal.

Although, truth to be told, I couldn’t ignore it.

I wasn’t crushing over Keegan but I still cared about him and I didn’t want him to be hurt. Especially not because of me.

I was sure the guilt I felt for not returning his feelings would last until he moved on. I knew it was irrational of me to think that way; how could anyone be blamed for not returning someone else’s feelings towards them? I knew that, and yet I couldn’t ease my conscience. I got to the point where I considered finding him another girl, someone he’ll be happy with. But after a while of thinking it over, I dismissed the idea. Who was I to meddle in Keegan’s love life?

But even as I stopped looking for a girl that would catch his interest, I still hoped he’ll find someone who would bring a smile to his face and do it soon.

Keegan deserved to be happy.

*****

Morgan POV

Two days.

I had only two days before I returned to Uni.

Only two days to make Caden mine.

I placed the lipstick back on my vanity table and gazed at my reflection in the mirror. I looked absolutely fantastic. I had spent about twenty minutes on my hair, straightening the slight natural waves it had. My makeup was as flawless as always, the beautiful light green eyeshadow complimenting my eyes and the mascara making my eyelashes thick and curvy. The red lipstick I’d just put on was the same shade as my tight, short, low-cut dress. I liked to call it my “seduction dress” as the design looked as if it was created especially for me and fit my body type perfectly, making me, in my humble opinion, simply irresistible. And I knew I had to look my best tonight. I was a woman on a mission; a mission to entice and take over a boy’s heart.

I picked up my phone and dialed a cab.

“Will be there in ten minutes, Mss,” the driver replied, immediately after hearing the address.

Knowing that was more time than I needed to grab my purse and put on my stilettos, I leisurely strolled downstairs. I found the little black purse right where I’d left it in the living room and then headed towards the hallway to put on my shoes. After I was done, I enjoyed gazing at my reflection in the large mirror, situated next to our coat rack.

Boy! Did Caden get lucky with me! I was absolutely stunning. All men were the same after all: they only cared about a woman’s appearance. And there was no way he wouldn’t appreciate mine.

I must have stared at myself for longer than I’d realized because I heard a car stop in front of our house and when I peeked my head outside, I saw that the cab had arrived.

I strutted to it, fully aware of the driver checking me out. I basked in the effect I had on him; he was so busy darting his eyes between my long legs and the generous amount of cleavage I displayed, that I had to repeat the address several times before he started the car and drove me to my destination.

It was Friday night and I was headed to Cillian’s. I was going to meet up with the boys and Alice there.

Alice!

That little bitch!

Not only was she an obstacle on my way to Caden but she turned my baby brother down.

Keegan had told me all about it the next day. He was very upset. He said he tried his best but apparently it wasn’t good enough. Just who did she think she was?! How come my baby brother was not good enough for her?

But I wouldn’t fail. I’d get my man.

Huh. Maybe once Caden is with me Alice would reconsider dating my brother?

Keegan would be an idiot to let the bitch do that after all he’s been through because of her… but, hey, I wouldn’t depend on my brother to make a wise decision; I was the smart one in our family. And that was why I knew my plan would succeed… Basically, it was the same tactic my brother had used on Alice, only I knew I’d do a better job than him. I just had to get Caden alone.

I got out, paid the man and walked to Cillian’s. I didn’t hear an engine start, so I was pretty sure the cab driver was still checking me out, this time from behind.

Opening the door to the pub, my gaze went right to the bar. A satisfied smile graced my lips when I saw everyone was already there.

Showtime!

“I’m not late, am I?” I questioned, sitting on a stool between my brother and the boy I craved.

I couldn’t help but notice Caden checking me out. His eyes traveled from my hips upwards to my chest and finally to my face. As our eyes met, I gave the boy a playful wink but he swiftly averted his gaze.

“Morgan?” Keegan asked surprised. “I thought you weren’t coming tonight.”

What? Did he think that just because he didn’t manage to get his girl I’d give up on my guy? I don’t think so!

“Why wouldn’t I come?” I queried and faked another smile. “I haven’t seen all of you in a such a long time.”

“Welcome back, Morgan! When are you leaving?” Cillian spoke out so hastily that the two sentences sounded as one.

“Now, now, Cillian!” I pouted. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you don’t want me to be around.”

I knew damn well that was the case. I never found out why but the man didn’t appreciate me chasing after Caden.

“I’m very hurt at that!” I made it sound as if I was joking. “But I’d accept an apology in the form of a whiskey on the house!” I winked at him.

“Only the first glass,” he stated, pouring my drink and giving it to me.

“Cheers!” I grinned at him and took a sip of my beverage.

And so, the stage was now set.

*****

Caden POV

“What did you want to say, Morgan?” I asked a bit irritated as the two of us got out of the pub.

I wanted nothing more than to go back in to chat with Alice and the boys and enjoy finishing my beer. But apparently Morgan had other plans. I had spent the last few hours with her constantly flirting with me (albeit in a joking manner) and I had no desire to keep on doing that. I had to admit: the girl was smoking hot on an average day and tonight she looked even better; but I had my reasons to stay away from her. I wouldn’t mind a one night stand with her, but I knew she wouldn’t leave it at that and I didn’t want a relationship with this particular girl. Plus, there was the matter with our siblings getting involved as well: Keegan and Logan would not be happy to find out we screwed each other. Morgan knew that but not giving a damn about it, she had been flirting with me whenever she got the chance, even if her brother was around. I had a feeling that now, with the two of us alone, she’d be less subtle about it.

“I need some help!” She took a step towards me and swayed a little.

“With what?” I crossed my arms over my chest. Couldn’t she just hurry up with her explanation so we could get this over with?

“Getting me a place to spend the night at.”

I stared at her in confusion. What was she talking about? She had a house, she had a brother to take her to said house… So what was the problem?

“I’m drunk, Caden,” she clarified, answering my unspoken question. “And I have no desire to let my little baby brother see me like this.”

“Keegan is not “little”. And he has seen you like this plenty of times,” I protested touchily; I hated it when Morgan and Logan referred to Keegan and I as “little baby brother”. We were teenagers for crying out loud!

“Not since I told him I stopped drinking,” the girl protested, letting out a hiccup. “Remember how I used to party before? I’m taking it easy these days… But… I got a bit carried away tonight.”

“And you want me to cover for you?”

The girl nodded.

“Why me, Morgan?” I questioned.

“Because although I’m not your most favorite person…”

“Huh!” I snorted. “You got that right!”

“… you care about my brother who in turn cares about me,” she went on as if she hadn’t heard me. Or perhaps she was too drunk to pay attention to what I was saying. “And that is why you won’t leave me on my own when I’m like this!”

I sighed. She was right. I couldn’t leave her on her own. Not only because of Keegan but because she needed help. And I was a sucker for damsels in distress.

“Fine!” I gave up with a groan. “You can come with me to my place tonight.”

I saw her grin at my response. Well, at least she stopped flirting. Plus, since she was that drunk she’d fall asleep the moment we get to my place… Right?